Rwanda’s digital transformation is opening new opportunities for businesses, consumers and communities. From mobile money and online commerce to digital public services, connectivity is becoming central to how people work, communicate and participate in the economy. Yet, as more of our lives move online, a fundamental question arises: can people trust the digital services they use every day? Trust is more than a reputational asset for technology companies: it supports digital adoption, financial inclusion and sustainable growth. Confidence in the safety of personal information and transactions encourages people to embrace digital opportunities; shaken trust harms not only victims but also businesses, institutions and the wider economy. The challenge is growing as cybercriminals use sophisticated tools, including AI, to make scams more convincing and fraud easier to scale. INTERPOL’s 2026 African Cyberthreat Assessment Report found that AI was enabling 55 per cent of reported cybercrimes across Africa. This highlights how rapidly the threat landscape is evolving and why digital progress must be matched by stronger defences, public awareness and collective action. For ordinary users, the risks often appear deceptively familiar. A message may appear to come from a trusted institution. A promotion may promise an unexpected reward. A caller may claim to represent a bank, service provider or someone the recipient knows. AI-generated voices and manipulated audio or video can make impersonation harder to detect. Digital literacy, therefore, must go beyond knowing how to use an application or device. It must also mean recognising warning signs, verifying information and knowing how to respond when something seems suspicious. Technology must be part of the defence Cybersecurity requires a layered approach that combines secure systems, responsible data management, continuous monitoring, effective incident response, and collaboration across the digital ecosystem. Telecommunications providers have a particular responsibility because connectivity underpins everyday communications and digital financial transactions. Protecting this environment requires appropriate security controls, vigilance against emerging threats and the capacity to adapt as criminal tactics evolve. AI is part of both the challenge and the solution. Criminals can misuse it to create convincing scams, while security teams can use AI and machine-learning tools to identify unusual patterns and potential threats. However, these tools require responsible implementation, oversight and continuous improvement. No technology can eliminate every risk. At MTN Rwanda, customer trust is central to our role as a digital service provider. That responsibility extends beyond connectivity to helping customers understand digital risks, encouraging safer behaviour and working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the wider digital environment. Making digital safety an everyday habit Technology alone cannot secure the digital economy. People need practical guidance they can apply when confronted with a suspicious message, unexpected call or urgent request for money. MTN Rwanda’s STOP. CHECK. PROTECT. campaign complements Rwanda’s national Tekana Online: Be Cyber Smart initiative, led by the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA). The message is simple: STOP: Pause before clicking links, authorising transactions or sharing personal information, especially when someone pressures you to act immediately. CHECK: Verify the source through a trusted, independent channel. Familiar names, logos and convincing language do not guarantee authenticity. PROTECT: Keep your PINs and one-time passwords private, use strong, unique passwords, enable additional account security where available, and report suspicious activity promptly. These practical habits can help people recognise warning signs and reduce their exposure to fraud. The national Tekana Online campaign, running throughout October 2026, reinforces that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that requires safe digital habits, strong data protection, and collective action. For businesses, cybersecurity must be a leadership priority, not merely a technical concern. Security should inform the design, management and communication of digital services to customers. When incidents occur, organisations must respond responsibly and ensure customers know where to seek assistance. As AI reshapes the digital landscape, progress and trust will go hand in hand. Ultimately, trust is built through consistent action: protecting information, responding to risks, helping people make informed decisions and working together to strengthen the digital environment. A safer digital Rwanda cannot be delivered by a single organisation or a single group of users alone. It is a shared ambition that begins with the choices we make every day. The writer is MTN Rwanda Chief Information Officer. TAGS: Rwanda digital economy, cybersecurity, online safety, cybercrime, digital trust, AI scams, data protection, MTN Rwanda, digital literacy, Tekana Online, NCSA, cyber fraud
